Watching the iron domes at work
J-Wire’s Israeli correspondent Michael Kuttner watched as the Israeli anti-rocket defense iron dome took out Hamas rockets heading directly for Jerusalem. He reports from Efrat.
Michael Kuttner
A few hours ago I was walking down the street to deliver a cake to a neighbour who then delivers all those collected to the café which supplies soldiers in the area with food and drinks. As I was returning to my house the sirens blasted forth and with nowhere to shelter I made for home at all possible speed. Looking up I saw two vapour trails streaking across the bright blue sky and then watched in fascination (silly me) as the iron dome intercepted 2 of the 5 rockets being fired towards Jerusalem from Gaza. There were 2 loud booms as the anti missile system destroyed the incoming rockets and puffs of white smoke. Arriving home rather breathless, Margaret informed me that the explosions were sufficiently strong to vibrate the house but apart from that unnerving experience nothing untoward had occurred.
I should also add that apart from the air raid sirens we receive also instantly sms messages to our mobile phones advising that rockets are on the way. Another piece of Israeli genius technology.
The TV news soon confirmed that 2 rockets had been intercepted in the Jerusalem area while another 3 fell on open ground also in the Jerusalem area. This was the first time I had actually witnessed the iron dome in action, apart from seeing it on TV and I can tell you that this world first has more than proven itself under fire. If not for this unique Israeli system the damage and casualties would have been horrendous and all of us give thanks to the brilliant scientists who designed it and the IDF which operates it.
This morning I was at the Government Press Office and met reporters from around the world who are here monitoring developments. As we watched the action live on the TV screens I took the opportunity to speak to a camera crew from Hong Kong. The chief reporter expressed her absolute amazement at the iron dome performance. This prompted me to ask her what China, South Korea and Japan are going to do when North Korea imitates PA/Hamas and starts firing rockets in their direction. She replied with a hint of a smile that these countries need to purchase this star wars technology . My response was that most things these days are made in China so it would be a change for China to buy something made in Israel!!
The sight of thousands of Palestinian Arabs standing on the Temple Mount cheering every rocket which is fired towards Jerusalem only confirms in my mind that those who are trying to murder us are a demented bunch of poisoned minds. Just imagine if one of these rockets being cheered actually got through and destroyed the Al Aqsa Mosque. Guess who would get the blame and guess what riots and mayhem would ensue, yet here are these same people cheering on their compatriots. Trying to reason with these sort of warped individuals is a lost cause.
Unless and until there is a fundamental change in their relationship with us and they let us live in peace and tranquility there can not be any peace. This ideology of hate is spreading and all those who are quick to censure us had better wake up before it is too late.
Meantime we are preparing for another action packed evening which we hope will bring us closer to a successful resolution of this war of terror being waged against us.
